I suspected this to be well past prime, but was pleasantly surprised at its freshness. Reddish purple color with almost no hint of brown. Nose was dark red fruit, perhaps a hint of rose petal and clove. Flavors of berry, cherry, with soft tannins and a medium finish. Certainly ready to drink.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Brought to a Cali Pinot tasting. Bigger then 25 other wines, some much younger. Darker red crushed fruit and graphite on nose. Not very approachable when popped. Actually had to place in decanter for 30 minutes then much improved. Perhaps needs more time in cellar or...
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This is the third aged Sea Smoke Ten Pinot that I've opened in the last month (after buying them recently direct from the winery)... and it’s the third wine that has been, um, not good. I hate to say a winery batted 0/3, but I would also hate to have anyone else waste their money like I wasted mine. The 2010 and 2009 were “meh” wines, and the 2007 is the worst of the bunch. This isn’t rich, but it isn’t elegant either. It is simple, sweet, and candied - and altogether unimpressive.
Light cherry in color and medium in body, the wine offers subdued aromas of cranberry, candied walnuts, and menthol. Straightforward flavors of sour cherry, raspberry, rock candy, and anise, with a sweet and wispy finish. (Think an entry-level Bourgogne, with the sugar - and the price - turned up.) I remember fondly a Sea Smoke wine appearing in Sideways, but this wine - unlike that movie - just doesn't hold up. 14.5% alcohol.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
PNP. Good earthy notes on the palate and nose but some major tannins really held this back from being great. Will try again sometime after decanting for a while.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Popped, poured and dumped. Even though this bottle had been properly stored and there was no leakage, the cork completely disintegrated on removal. I understand this winery has changed its ways from the mid-00's vintages and it needed to. Too much alcohol and showy (Oak! Fruit!) profile early in a wine's life can lead to disappointment if the bottles are held to age; that's obviously what happened here.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
-- popped and poured -- -- tasted a couple hours non-blind over approx. one hour --
Stewed red fruits. Baked red fruits. Tasted a bit oxidized or heat damaged, but neither should have been the case. Others at the table did like it, whereas I found it off-putting. Markedly different than a bottle three years ago ... has this turned that quickly? I've one remaing bottle, and it just got moved near the front of the Drink Soon line. Gut impression score for this bottle: low to mid. 70s.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Opened at the table, poured an hr later. Really beautiful glass of wine. Held up way better than the 07 Southing I opened last year that had been stored side by side at ideal 55.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wonderful aromas of black cherry and currants with lively black cherry, spice, and cedar notes on the velvety palate and long finish. Classic Sea Smoke! Last of the 2007 Ten's.
Continues to drink beautifully! Wonderful aromas of black cherry and currants with lively black cherry, spice, and cedar notes on the velvety palate and long finish. Classic Sea Smoke!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Elevated acid was out of balance when first opened but began to settle after an hour. 89. Only had a glass. The next night it’s drinking beautifully. 95
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Started with a very light nose of smoke and sour cherry. In the mouth it is very structured with brisk acidity and plenty of complexity. Very enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wonderful aromas of black cherry and currants with elegant black cherry, spice, and cedar notes on the velvety palate and long finish. Simply delicious pinot!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Delightful Pinot in its prime. Deep, rich and balanced with cherries, spice and a touch of minerality. Beautiful deep pure Pinot Noir nose. Long finish with a bit of tangy cranberry lingering.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
-- decanted for 1 hour before initial taste -- -- tasted non-blind for a couple hours --
NOSE: tight; faintly red-fruited; a touch fumey; cherry pie; apple liqueur.
BODY: some sediment present; dark garnet color of medium-deep depth with slight bricking throughout; medium bodied.
TASTE: purple fruited; some prune; smooth; low to moderate oak; medium acidity; somewhat heavy for a Pinot Noir; macerated/baked cherry; 14.5% alc.; Drink Now or Hold --- for my preferences, it's a Hold.
Tastes remarkably young and fresh after 9 years. A big Pinot showing lots of oak but not necessarily in an ostentatious way. Complex, long finish, all of the quality wine buzz words. As advertised, if not exactly the style I gravitate towards these days.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Some sweet fruit, but not overpowering. The Central Coast pinot noir doesn't taste or look like Sonoma. No hit you over the head cherry and spice with this bottle. Some tannins. A mid/full color. After 60 minutes, I tasted raisins. The wine was really smoothing out now. It might have been worth the price at purchase (from SS), but not today. Overall, a very nice pinot noir. Drank this at Avra in NYC with family. We had a variety of fish entrees that matched well with the wine. Birthday dinner. Drink sooner rather than later.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
One of my top 3 PNs but this one, sadly, was past it's prime. I think ideally 5 years from vintage is good for Sea Smoke. Aromas of red fruit still present and you can tell that this was very good a few years ago.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
First bottle since 2012. Upon opening very acidic. Needs about an hour to open up then mellows out. Went very well w salmon. After seeing previous reviews was worried wine was fading, but this bottle was drinking well and while i am not expecting much improvement, it should have a few years left.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Been holding this one for a while and it didn't disappoint. The cork was vrey dry and had to dig it out but the wine showed deep, dark fruit and a very California Pinot style. Earth and leather but overall, soft. This is what you would expect from a $100 Pinot. Drinking great, not sure I would hold this much longer.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Black fruited and large scale, with a quite a bit of VA/heat on the nose. Has a nice spice note but just doesn't have the complexity or balance to justify the price point. A big upgrade from the Southing though. Fine tannins in the background suggest some ageability, but I'm not expecting significant improvement.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nose of black cherry and spice with hints of tea and mushroom. On the palate, black cherry, black raspberry, clove, orange tea. Decent finish. Might actually have upside from here as I did not get much heat on this.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drank this at Berserkerfest at Peking Duck House (PDH) in NYC. Elegant and light on it's feet. Would have been nice served solo; but with all that wine competition, this didn't have a chance. Drink sooner rather than later. I'll drink my last bottle with non-geeks.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Rethinking ratings. This is the top of the pyramid for Sea Smoke--expected extraordinary--got ordinary. Nose fairly closed--even with air the nose remained reticent--little fruit, some cola notes--basically undistinguished. Pleasant enough on the palate with some fruit, but short on the palate. A drinker not a wower. Have two more bottles--won't have them long. This is on its way out
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Thought it was flawed at first, but the problem was that it simply had no pleasure to give. Big but harsh with alcohol and the fruit I noted earlier is either gone or dumb. The Emperor's New Pinot. Never again.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Popped and drank. Quite enjoyable. Nice soft black cherry, a bit of cedar, and tiny bit of earth on the nose. The Fruit is a bit overpowering and kind of blocks subtle flavors and aromas. On the palette it is nice black cherry mixed with spice. Acid is low. Weight is medium plus. It could be considered a bit flabby, but I still enjoyed it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Black cherry color with some brown on the rim. Nose shut down day 1 - much better day 2 and 3. Great body and structure, more balanced with classic pinot fruit on day 2 & 3; just spice day 1.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Opened and aired for one hour. Darker than most Pinots, with soft, velvety mouthfeel. Blackberries and mushrooms with a bit of earth in the initial tastes. Coffee, tobacco and wood in the middle and a long lasting finish!! Served with scallops, stuffed zucchini and roasted potatoes and the wine held it's own. Last bottle and hated it to end!!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very soft and smooth on the palate, show earth, mushroom, and mineral notes. Cherry and fruit flavors less prominent at this point, more Burgundian in style than expected for Sea Smoke. Still pairs great with food though.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
The wine looks purple colored. The legs are medium. There is no sediment in the bottle. It smells like red currant, blackberry and forest floor. It tastes like blackberry, raspberry and garrigue. The body is medium/full. The wine has silky texture. The wine finishes medium. The wine has medium acidity.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Beautiful color of clear ruby. The nose is muted cherry and bright red fruits. The palate was hot. Overpowering alcohol almost masked all the fruit. Some of the earthiness remains, but the alcohol is just too much.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I first tasted this about an hour after opening and my initial impression was that this is a PN trying to be a Cab. It was big, dense and very perfumy. After several more hours, however, it did settle down quite abit. While still a big, perfumed PN that is definitely not a wine of finesse, it did in fact display some subtle earthy notes along with the rich black cherry, Asian spice, white pepper and leather flavors . The finish is fairly long and dominated by moderately aggressive tannins.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Bit of a departure for me from the usual France/Italy/Australia. If I'm honest I get it and can appreciate the choices made by the producer, but I struggle to enjoy it. Absolutely massive extraction gives a glass of boozy, hyper-rich grape juice that I find hard to identify with the seductive silkiness of pinot noir. If a thicker skin variety had been given the same treatment I reckon you would probably get something like chewing an iron bar. As one other diner commented "well I do like a big syrah..."
Too much for me. I actually think it was a little volatile, but this may just have been the youth, as the alcohol sticks put a little awkwardly. Trying to remain objective I'd probably score mid 80s, but for my palate it's at least 5 off the score above. Too much.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Ruby color, fruity nose w/ cherry, berry, and subtle cola notes. Same bold fruit on the palate and a slightly edgy finish. Paired with rib-eye steaks, Alaska king crab, grilled asparagus, & twice baked potatoes.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This is a pinot heavyweight, dark and rich, with as much dark fruit as red fruit flavors. Very full without being jammy, this has a nice balance and structure. Should continue to improve in the cellar.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This wine was a struggle. First, it seems a bit reduced so it may show better in a couple of years--after five hours it really is not offering much. Second, it seems a bit hot. Third, and perhaps a corollary to the heat, there seems to be some VA underneath all the obvious stuffing of black fruits and loam. The mass of the wine just seems to be covering a subtle, underlying acetic quality. The aromas of the wine evoke memories of polishing patent leather dress shoes, for better or worse.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Hedonistic Pinot, rich and Cab-like. Round and dusty. Tannic with big blue fruit and tart cherry. Indulgent, but full flavored can be fun too. Long finish. Hearty nose. Worth the $? No.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nose of black cherry, bing cherry, red raspberry, clove. On the palate rich with black cherry and spice flavors. Finishes with nice balance and acidity. Enjoyable but nothing special
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
A bit disappointed with this compared to some past vintages. Full bodied with still a clear tannic presence. The fruit seemed to have become more muted and in the background. Raspberry, cherry and berry flavors are there but seem to be restrained. Some nice spice flavors add to the complexity and there is a persistent finish. Nice silky mouthfeel.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This is getting better with age, as one would expect. Very rich...dark cherry, berries, a bit of smoke. Perfect for watching the Oscars and having grilled salmon.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tough to say whether this is an 85 or a 90. It seemed heavy, asleep, a bit clumsy and thick. If it stays this way definitely an 85 but if it drops some of the tannins and "spreads out" with a little more lift and focus then it deserves a much higher rating. I have a lot more so I will open another bottle in another couple of years and check on its evolution.....
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Popped and poured with this year's cassoulet. Unimpressive. Not just unimpressive at the $90 price point. Unimpressive compared with a $13 glass of pinot noir at an East Village bistro the previous evening. It doesn't taste like pinot noir at all. Hoping it's a matter of air but it's not tannic. Next day it's still nowheresville, no charm, not even the charm of a musclebound athlete. Nose has orange peel and cherry pie spice, a tiny bit of volatile acidity, palate has nothing but slightly oxidized heavy red, no finish worth speaking of. For a wine that isn't flawed, this is a massive disappointment.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Still really closed and tight, but with potential to develop into a beauty. We decanted for an hour before drinking, and the wine developed greatly. I advise cellaring from another three years, and I expect the score to increase.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
--- COLOR: Translucent ruby-garnet NOTE: Decent version of Ten, but far from my favorite. Was this the vintage when Kris Curran boogied out of the operation? Anyway, it has a decent enough (if somewhat sour) nose filled with fresh red cherry, pomagranate juice, hints of nutmeg. Not as complex as other years. The mouth is medium-weight, heavily pomagranate juice and a hint of roast beef, then the finish becomes quite hot and the roast beef takes over the fruit. There's some ash in there, a little leather. Probably my least favorite Sea Smoke Ten to date, but still quite drinkable.
DECANT: 1-6 hours GLASS USED: PN TASTE: 9.0 OTHER: COST: 84 VALUE: 1.0 PREVIOUSLY TASTED: n/a TRY AGAIN: now - 2015 PAIRING: open-faced roast beef and cheddar on an everything bagel Inquiries can be addressed to troypeterson@usa.net ---
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Paired with Thanksgiving dinner. Good but just not nearly great enough to not be disappointing. Possibly just a bad year for Sea Smoke however this must have hurt the brand. A little heat after a 3 hour decant with cherry and a hint of medium tannic structure that will allow this to age (just not sure that there is any reason to).
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Sour cherries showing at first, but after a couple of hours, the fruit sweetened and softened. More acidic than I predicted, so perhaps this wine has a long life ahead, but I was underwhelmed. Opened at Thanksgiving and served with traditional thanksgiving items (turkey, stuff, etc.). Perhaps with a longer time open before consumed it would have been better.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Another too-high alcohol content bottle (14.5%), but that's what we get here. It must be a real quandry as a winegrower when faced with the decision when to pick. In California, you can get fruit so ripe that it sends alcohol levels to sky-high levels on even table wines. That allows showy wines that many people love, but some, like me, would prefer it if the didn't let the fruit hang quite so long. If they did that, wines would be down in the 12.5 - 13% range that allow wines to complement rather than overwhelm whatever is being served with them. It would be nice to know if the Sea Smoke people have ever tried an experiment with fruit picked at a lower Brix. They might be better food wines, as they would have a slightly higher--and therefore more refreshing--acidic quality. Of course, that's all a matter of taste. When I first opened this one (a friend had helped me with some work and I popped and poured this one since he'd never had a Sea Smoke wine), it could have been mistaken for a Cabernet-based wine. It was so dark and the nose so aggressive that there wasn't any of the characteristic earthiness of Pinot Noir. My friend's first question was "Is that French oak?", adding that all he got out of the nose at first was the oak. After it had been open about an hour, it started to come around, so perhaps it was my mistake in drinking this on an impulse. Of course by then, we were more than a little snockered by what we'd already had from the bottle. Next time, I'll try to anticipate my desires on the Sea Smokes I've still got but am not replacing.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
lush aroma and fruit on first pour but then it closed down and became hard in the glass. I think this wine is huge and not ready. I had only this bottle and will see how it does corked and put back to cellar temp but I think it was too soon. Nonetheless this is Pinot on steroids.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Hopefully just way before its time. Closed on the nose. The palate had some savory elements surrounded by some very dark fruit but no juiciness and lots of oak. I had two glasses over the span of three hours and nothing changed.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Really unique nose of sweet bing cherry, cranberry, red licorice, vanilla, and a hint of cola and earth. Nice balance with bright acidity, soft mouthfeel, and a ton of red fruit. Lacking on the earthiness, but makes up for it with awesome fruit. I usually think these wines are overhyped, but this one really blew me away.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Good fruit, but too big for its own good, as the fruit overwhelms other characteristics, and the alcohol rears its head if the wine warms up a bit. Still, a good drink, but certainly there are betters to be had at the tariff.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This is a full bodied pinot that needed 3 to 4 hours in the decanter for the rich red and dark fruit to open with anise, some leathery notes and deep earthy and brambly undertones. There's fine, dusty tannins and white pepper on the finish. Today this one has a very burgundian feel to it. Quite nice.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Using the scale, rather unemotional. Good juice but should have poured into a big open glass decanter. Buried fruit (not berried). All good - surf's up.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A seemingly more extracted style than the Southing. Too much swirling gets you a bit of heat, unfortunately. Meh. I enjoyed the Southing much more, and think this is way too pricey.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Brought it to Keen's Steak House, served with prime rib and their famous mutton chop. Drinking well now but clearly not yet at its peak, the tannins are still getting in the way of the fruit on the palate.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Splash decanted and enjoyed rather quickly. This is a pretty typical Sea Smoke (pre-08). I note 'pre-08' because I sense a slight change in style starting with the 08 vintage compared especially to the 06 and 07 vintages. For 07 this was tasty with great fruit and depth but a touch hot on the back end. Still a very enjoyable wine and should continue to improve.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I agree that it needs a few more years, but everything is right there. Ripe and creamy black cherry flavors. Complex nose with hints of cola and sassafras. Velvety tannins and enough acidity to keep it all in balance.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Spicy hot and oak nose, smooth but very complex palate of spice and cherries, medium finish that is a bit hot as other have mentioned. My first 'smoke. I'm impressed but I'd say its a wee bit expensive for what you get.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Rated for potential. Decanted an hour - needed more. Lots of bright red fruit on the nose and initial attack, but finishes hot and out of balance. Hoping for more in 2-3 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted two hours. Nose of black cherry, black raspberry, cranberry, rhubard, cola, close. On the palate, black cherry, raspberry, rhubard, spice, vanilla. Finishes a little bit hot with a lot of zing. Better than the last bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Richmond - Enotecca Sogno: Too young to strut its stuff. Red fruits is all i got out of this nose that was tight. Ripe dark fruits on the palate, maybe some white pepper. Not overly "ripe" or syrah like, but it did have a touch of heat at the end. Give it some time
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
popped the cork and left open for five hrs. recorked and then decanted and drank over next 3 hrs. This takes along time to fully open and no doubt could use another 3-5 yrs to fully develop. The sea smokes always flirt with too much alcohol for my tastes, but when given enough time to open, they usually come around. This one was no exception. Beautiful cherry and strawberry flavors with some smoke in the background. racy palate and long finish. Ample full mouthfeel. VN and would definitely rebuy.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted 1.5 hrs before drinking with grilled teriyaki-marinated top sirloin. Beautiful color and nose. Medium body that tastes of raspberries and cranberries. Good acidity and balance that improved over the next couple of hours. Medium-to-long finish. The only thing that knocked my score down a point or two, is that it is a little hot on the finish. Alcohol seems higher than listed.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
drank one before my allocation closes. very similar to the last bottle i tried, but this bottle had more earthy notes and some black tea with the tart cherry. the nose is better than the palate, but my real problem with the wine is the extreme acidity. three others at dinner all agreed that it is much to acidic. overall a good wine, but i will not pay $80 for anything i would rate at 91 pts. good bye sea smoke, i'm sure my allocation will find a good home elsewhere...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Cranberry is the overriding fruit characteristic of this wine right now. Acids seem a bit high. I don't ever recall such a strong cranberry profile on this wine before. To a lesser extent, cherry, raspberry and sweet strawberries.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nose of black cherry, black raspberry, cranberry, cola, spice. On the palate, black cherry, strawberry, rhubarb, spice, vanilla. Finishes with nice acidity. A little hollow midpalate, but time should fill it in. Drink with a long decant or hold.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
High toned and seems a little light because of the freshness that the acid provides. Big time cranberries and some spice. Long finish. And, it seems like there is more to come.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nice light nose with an aged wine scent. Great blend of flavors including cherry, but lacks depth of fruit. Very light oak with a nip of tannins; somewhat dry. A great pinot, but I was expecting more for the reputation (and price) of this wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Clean, slightly sweet, fresh strawberry fruit, very good structure, well balanced but lacks complexity and depth of flavors as I find typical of Santa Barbara Pinot Noirs
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted about 1 1/2 hours. The nose had cherry and forest floor, spice and raspberry, anise and some creamy oak. The palate was smooth, with, black cherry and earth, cinnamon and nutmeg, raspberry and a little vanilla.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
decant at 2:45. no sediment but could see some cloudiness. nose has spicey red fruit, briary raspberry/currant, a touch of blueberry, and minerality. much better than expected. 94-95pts for nose. palate has one dimensional very tart cherry. 85pts or lower, one of the most closed down wines i have ever come across. 6:45 nose is still great, palate has opened just a touch. shows like a very burgundian styled pinot. the finish is acidic but is starting to broaden out a bit. not drinkable yet. 9:15 nose is still the best part of this wine. palate seemes to be slowly building depth showing some tart blackberry with some greeness. finish is fairly long (25-30 sec) due to high acidity, showing the darker blackberry vs. cherry shown earlier. soft, well hiden tannins have built up and add to tartness to the wine. cork shows a light dusting of tartrate crystals which seems inappropriate for a young california pinot. maybe some tartaric was added to the juice? 10:20 the wine is still changing, showing darker and more complex notes. a bit high in acid for my taste by does show an ever increasing complexity. has potential with age. currently nose- 95pts, palate- 91pts, finish-90 pts
The Botella that I had last night did not show well so I thought I'd give this a try. An a incredibly young wine. The cork looks like it was put in yesterday and has that dryness and lack of seepage that shows youthfulness. On the palate: tight, bright, red tart fruit; shows oak with a tannic bite; a crisp and spicy finish. An hour later and its still dense like a newly cut log. Hard to judge at this point, but I'll give it a Good. Needs 2-3 hours of decanting or better yet wait 2 more years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Deep ruby color with cola and cherry notes. Great nose but alittle hot on the palate. Will be interesting to see how this wine develops over the next couple of years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
At this point, I'd rather smell this wine than drink it. Beautiful nose, perfume for days, very complex. On the palate its huge and complex showing cola, sassafrass, blueberry, huckleberry. But its too hot and all over the place at the moment. The 90 plus score comes from the nose alone.
Pinot Noir Blind Tasting @ Planet Wine (Planet Wine - Alexandria, VA): Big nose of cocoa, cinnamon, nutmeg and sweet rhubarb. Massive wine, with the alcohol coming through quite noticeably. There was also a somewhat bizarre celery salt component to the wine. At this point I felt it was somewhat disjointed...and clearly young. If you have more bottles of this, I'd recommend forgetting about it in your cellar for at least 5 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dark red to purple color. Really nice nose of red berry, dill, herb, spice. On the palate there more red fruit, raspberry, cherry, spice and ALCOHOL. Correctly guessed Cali because of the heat. Really disappointing with the sticker on this wine, I guess WS had it right for a change. (88)
This is the lowest score I've given a Sea Smoke Pinot. Not too low at a 90, but there's something missing for me about Sea Smoke the last few vintages. I don't know if it's the new(er) winemaker or what, but Sea Smoke used to blow me away...incredible tasting experiences with particularly the Botellas and Tens (not as big a fan of the Southings). So, relatively speaking the 2007 Ten is not my favorite relative to other Sea Smokes. But, against other Pinot Noir, this is still very nice. A bit young and rambunctious still, but a nice blend of dark cherries, lavender and blood orange with a hint of smoke. Incredible acidity on this wine, especially for a California Pinot Noir.
Wine Warehouse "Locals Only" Tasting (Santa Barbara Club): Tasted at wine warehouse's "locals only" tasting in SB. Muted, yet complex nose of earth, black cherries, asian spices, and subtle vanilla. On the palate shows noble stucture, and good fruit hiding behind the firm, though by no means brutal tannins. The wine was obviously in bottle shock, but the construction and underlying fruit on this wine perhaps suggest great things to come. Not Rated.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
10/23/2023 - Inforred Likes this wine: 93 Points
I suspected this to be well past prime, but was pleasantly surprised at its freshness. Reddish purple color with almost no hint of brown. Nose was dark red fruit, perhaps a hint of rose petal and clove. Flavors of berry, cherry, with soft tannins and a medium finish. Certainly ready to drink.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/26/2023 - Trickyone wrote: flawed
See note for 2005 "Ten".
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/26/2023 - Trickyone wrote: flawed
See 2005 "Ten" note.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/23/2022 - kosta wrote:
Fruit is waning, but pretty nose and intense red cherry flavors with backbone showing.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/30/2021 - spineguy Likes this wine: 90 Points
Brought to a Cali Pinot tasting. Bigger then 25 other wines, some much younger. Darker red crushed fruit and graphite on nose. Not very approachable when popped. Actually had to place in decanter for 30 minutes then much improved. Perhaps needs more time in cellar or...
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/24/2021 - davudvl Likes this wine: 91 Points
Tasty
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/16/2021 - Tim2 wrote: 90 Points
Opened with two grand cru burgundies as an hommage to Steve Spurrier. Didn’t quite make his point but didn’t start a Trojan war
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/27/2021 - msuwine wrote: 87 Points
This is the third aged Sea Smoke Ten Pinot that I've opened in the last month (after buying them recently direct from the winery)... and it’s the third wine that has been, um, not good. I hate to say a winery batted 0/3, but I would also hate to have anyone else waste their money like I wasted mine. The 2010 and 2009 were “meh” wines, and the 2007 is the worst of the bunch. This isn’t rich, but it isn’t elegant either. It is simple, sweet, and candied - and altogether unimpressive.
Light cherry in color and medium in body, the wine offers subdued aromas of cranberry, candied walnuts, and menthol. Straightforward flavors of sour cherry, raspberry, rock candy, and anise, with a sweet and wispy finish. (Think an entry-level Bourgogne, with the sugar - and the price - turned up.) I remember fondly a Sea Smoke wine appearing in Sideways, but this wine - unlike that movie - just doesn't hold up. 14.5% alcohol.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/10/2020 - Callybrian Likes this wine: 88 Points
PNP. Good earthy notes on the palate and nose but some major tannins really held this back from being great. Will try again sometime after decanting for a while.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/31/2020 - Trickyone Does not like this wine:
Popped, poured and dumped. Even though this bottle had been properly stored and there was no leakage, the cork completely disintegrated on removal. I understand this winery has changed its ways from the mid-00's vintages and it needed to. Too much alcohol and showy (Oak! Fruit!) profile early in a wine's life can lead to disappointment if the bottles are held to age; that's obviously what happened here.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/16/2019 - grafstrb wrote:
-- popped and poured --
-- tasted a couple hours non-blind over approx. one hour --
Stewed red fruits. Baked red fruits. Tasted a bit oxidized or heat damaged, but neither should have been the case. Others at the table did like it, whereas I found it off-putting. Markedly different than a bottle three years ago ... has this turned that quickly? I've one remaing bottle, and it just got moved near the front of the Drink Soon line. Gut impression score for this bottle: low to mid. 70s.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/21/2019 - ARiverofPisoni wrote: 94 Points
Opened at the table, poured an hr later. Really beautiful glass of wine. Held up way better than the 07 Southing I opened last year that had been stored side by side at ideal 55.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/30/2019 - pjhr Likes this wine: 96 Points
Wonderful aromas of black cherry and currants with lively black cherry, spice, and cedar notes on the velvety palate and long finish. Classic Sea Smoke! Last of the 2007 Ten's.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comments (3)
12/29/2018 - pjhr Likes this wine: 97 Points
Continues to drink beautifully! Wonderful aromas of black cherry and currants with lively black cherry, spice, and cedar notes on the velvety palate and long finish. Classic Sea Smoke!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/10/2018 - pjhr Likes this wine: 96 Points
Simply delicious pinot! A classic Sea Smoke!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/28/2017 - Jack wrote:
Elevated acid was out of balance when first opened but began to settle after an hour. 89. Only had a glass. The next night it’s drinking beautifully. 95
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/4/2017 - Tudz Drkl Likes this wine:
Started with a very light nose of smoke and sour cherry. In the mouth it is very structured with brisk acidity and plenty of complexity. Very enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/21/2017 - pjhr Likes this wine: 95 Points
Wonderful aromas of black cherry and currants with elegant black cherry, spice, and cedar notes on the velvety palate and long finish.
Simply delicious pinot!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/10/2017 - PVJC Likes this wine: 91 Points
Good but not great, was expecting more. A bit rough & a bit sour.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/26/2017 - Deepdrop Likes this wine: 94 Points
Delightful Pinot in its prime. Deep, rich and balanced with cherries, spice and a touch of minerality. Beautiful deep pure Pinot Noir nose. Long finish with a bit of tangy cranberry lingering.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/24/2016 - dontime wrote:
Just outstanding. If scoring 94-96.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/14/2016 - ChiTownWine wrote:
Bad cork. Discarded wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/22/2016 - grafstrb wrote: 89 Points
-- decanted for 1 hour before initial taste --
-- tasted non-blind for a couple hours --
NOSE: tight; faintly red-fruited; a touch fumey; cherry pie; apple liqueur.
BODY: some sediment present; dark garnet color of medium-deep depth with slight bricking throughout; medium bodied.
TASTE: purple fruited; some prune; smooth; low to moderate oak; medium acidity; somewhat heavy for a Pinot Noir; macerated/baked cherry; 14.5% alc.; Drink Now or Hold --- for my preferences, it's a Hold.
50, 5 11, 16, 7 = 89
Ashley's gut impression score: 89
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/22/2016 - leadpencil wrote: 92 Points
Ruby brick red. Medium to full bodied. Cherry, anise, macerized cherry compote. Drink up.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/16/2016 - Deadhead wrote: 93 Points
No notes. Yummy.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/14/2016 - SacramentoCharlie wrote: 92 Points
not a lot of aeromatics but very smooth, balanced and open for business
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/4/2016 - judgepalmer Likes this wine: 92 Points
Tastes remarkably young and fresh after 9 years. A big Pinot showing lots of oak but not necessarily in an ostentatious way. Complex, long finish, all of the quality wine buzz words. As advertised, if not exactly the style I gravitate towards these days.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/15/2016 - dhammer53 wrote: 90 Points
Some sweet fruit, but not overpowering. The Central Coast pinot noir doesn't taste or look like Sonoma. No hit you over the head cherry and spice with this bottle. Some tannins. A mid/full color. After 60 minutes, I tasted raisins. The wine was really smoothing out now. It might have been worth the price at purchase (from SS), but not today. Overall, a very nice pinot noir. Drank this at Avra in NYC with family. We had a variety of fish entrees that matched well with the wine. Birthday dinner. Drink sooner rather than later.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/14/2016 - D3S Likes this wine: 97 Points
Excellent wine, good nose, luscious red and dark fruit, nice acidity, spice and well balanced tannins with long finish. Drinking well now.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/9/2016 - lou13 Likes this wine: 90 Points
still good, but do not hold any longer.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/7/2016 - MyWine2009 Likes this wine: 85 Points
One of my top 3 PNs but this one, sadly, was past it's prime. I think ideally 5 years from vintage is good for Sea Smoke. Aromas of red fruit still present and you can tell that this was very good a few years ago.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/7/2016 - jupiter33 wrote: 92 Points
Peaking
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/9/2016 - theferb wrote: flawed
Corked
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comments (2)
12/26/2015 - Deadhead wrote: 93 Points
WONDERFUL! No notes - drank on Christmas eve.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/25/2015 - kgh wrote: 91 Points
Big bodied Pinot with dark fruit predominant and hints of mushroom and earth. Similar impressions as previous notes.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/27/2015 - Edclr Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very rich pinot, VG finish, fruit still bright. Prime drinking period.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/30/2015 - beau11 wrote:
First bottle since 2012. Upon opening very acidic. Needs about an hour to open up then mellows out. Went very well w salmon. After seeing previous reviews was worried wine was fading, but this bottle was drinking well and while i am not expecting much improvement, it should have a few years left.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/26/2015 - krhaugh Likes this wine: 93 Points
Been holding this one for a while and it didn't disappoint. The cork was vrey dry and had to dig it out but the wine showed deep, dark fruit and a very California Pinot style. Earth and leather but overall, soft. This is what you would expect from a $100 Pinot. Drinking great, not sure I would hold this much longer.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/8/2015 - Nutty08 Does not like this wine: 89 Points
Black fruited and large scale, with a quite a bit of VA/heat on the nose. Has a nice spice note but just doesn't have the complexity or balance to justify the price point. A big upgrade from the Southing though. Fine tannins in the background suggest some ageability, but I'm not expecting significant improvement.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/31/2015 - misterstarre Likes this wine: 91 Points
Plenty of oak and fruit in this fleshy, balanced pinot noir. Very well structured, with black fruits forward.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/6/2015 - GalvezGuy Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nose of black cherry and spice with hints of tea and mushroom. On the palate, black cherry, black raspberry, clove, orange tea. Decent finish. Might actually have upside from here as I did not get much heat on this.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/9/2015 - Jack wrote: 91 Points
Nice. A little better on day 2.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/19/2015 - dhammer53 wrote: 89 Points
Drank this at Berserkerfest at Peking Duck House (PDH) in NYC. Elegant and light on it's feet. Would have been nice served solo; but with all that wine competition, this didn't have a chance. Drink sooner rather than later. I'll drink my last bottle with non-geeks.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/22/2015 - kgh wrote: 91 Points
Similar to notes from last bottle. Muted fruit but complex Burgundian style, with earth, leather, and mineral notes. Terrific pairing with pork roast.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/22/2015 - jbro Likes this wine: 86 Points
Rethinking ratings. This is the top of the pyramid for Sea Smoke--expected extraordinary--got ordinary. Nose fairly closed--even with air the nose remained reticent--little fruit, some cola notes--basically undistinguished. Pleasant enough on the palate with some fruit, but short on the palate. A drinker not a wower. Have two more bottles--won't have them long. This is on its way out
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/16/2015 - brucerob wrote: 90 Points
OK but over hyped and overpriced for what was a banner year for CA Pinots (2007)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/1/2015 - mazik Does not like this wine: 70 Points
Thought it was flawed at first, but the problem was that it simply had no pleasure to give. Big but harsh with alcohol and the fruit I noted earlier is either gone or dumb. The Emperor's New Pinot. Never again.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/11/2015 - Bob in NC Likes this wine: 95 Points
A perfect Pinot Noir with elegant fruit, balanced earth tones and silky lingering tannic finish. We savored every drop.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/27/2014 - tfesmgk Likes this wine: 92 Points
Even better than previous bottle. Big and dark but not too fruity. Nice balance with a long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/7/2014 - Justinwine wrote: 93 Points
How do you grade something you love? You don't. Delicious.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/30/2014 - RickyT12 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Popped and drank. Quite enjoyable. Nice soft black cherry, a bit of cedar, and tiny bit of earth on the nose. The Fruit is a bit overpowering and kind of blocks subtle flavors and aromas. On the palette it is nice black cherry mixed with spice. Acid is low. Weight is medium plus. It could be considered a bit flabby, but I still enjoyed it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/27/2014 - WinthropT96 wrote: 89 Points
Black cherry color with some brown on the rim. Nose shut down day 1 - much better day 2 and 3. Great body and structure, more balanced with classic pinot fruit on day 2 & 3; just spice day 1.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/27/2014 - KeithSurg wrote: 86 Points
Dark brick color, nose of wet earth and red fruit. Tart cherry on the palate, with a thin, woodsy finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/12/2014 - SeaSmoke wrote: 91 Points
Similar notes to Feb 2014
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/29/2014 - jrglm wrote: 90 Points
I wish I had more Botella.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/30/2014 - monk1019 wrote: 89 Points
Opened and aired for one hour. Darker than most Pinots, with soft, velvety mouthfeel. Blackberries and mushrooms with a bit of earth in the initial tastes. Coffee, tobacco and wood in the middle and a long lasting finish!! Served with scallops, stuffed zucchini and roasted potatoes and the wine held it's own. Last bottle and hated it to end!!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/8/2014 - agnorger wrote: 90 Points
Much better with food than alone. Expected more. High toned, but no depth of flavor upon opening. Still seemed young.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/4/2014 - kgh wrote: 90 Points
Very soft and smooth on the palate, show earth, mushroom, and mineral notes. Cherry and fruit flavors less prominent at this point, more Burgundian in style than expected for Sea Smoke. Still pairs great with food though.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/9/2014 - Vinyljunkee Likes this wine: 90 Points
The wine looks purple colored. The legs are medium. There is no sediment in the bottle. It smells like red currant, blackberry and forest floor. It tastes like blackberry, raspberry and garrigue. The body is medium/full. The wine has silky texture. The wine finishes medium. The wine has medium acidity.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/9/2014 - cawineaux wrote: 86 Points
Beautiful color of clear ruby. The nose is muted cherry and bright red fruits. The palate was hot. Overpowering alcohol almost masked all the fruit. Some of the earthiness remains, but the alcohol is just too much.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/9/2014 - tfesmgk Likes this wine: 91 Points
Big and dense. It does have a lot of cab dark fruit to it. Opened very nicely after 2 hours.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/7/2014 - Johnny C NYC Likes this wine: 91 Points
Alcohol is nicely muted, but so is the nose. Decently long finish. Red berry and a bit of biscuit on the palate. 50/5/12/16/8
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/28/2014 - SeaSmoke wrote: 91 Points
Nicely structured Pinot. Plenty of black fruit evident on palate. Finish is medium without much spice. Wine is drinking very well currently.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/26/2014 - mmcdds wrote: 91 Points
I first tasted this about an hour after opening and my initial impression was that this is a PN trying to be a Cab. It was big, dense and very
perfumy. After several more hours, however, it did settle down quite abit. While still a big, perfumed PN that is definitely not a wine of finesse, it did in fact display some subtle earthy notes along with the rich black cherry, Asian spice, white pepper and leather flavors . The finish is fairly long and dominated by moderately aggressive tannins.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/4/2014 - Khamen Does not like this wine: 85 Points
Bit of a departure for me from the usual France/Italy/Australia. If I'm honest I get it and can appreciate the choices made by the producer, but I struggle to enjoy it. Absolutely massive extraction gives a glass of boozy, hyper-rich grape juice that I find hard to identify with the seductive silkiness of pinot noir. If a thicker skin variety had been given the same treatment I reckon you would probably get something like chewing an iron bar. As one other diner commented "well I do like a big syrah..."
Too much for me. I actually think it was a little volatile, but this may just have been the youth, as the alcohol sticks put a little awkwardly. Trying to remain objective I'd probably score mid 80s, but for my palate it's at least 5 off the score above. Too much.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/28/2013 - unrelenting wrote: 92 Points
Traditional sea smoke -- pleasing to the palate but no structure. Respectable finish
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/4/2013 - bh4buffs Likes this wine: 90 Points
Ruby color, fruity nose w/ cherry, berry, and subtle cola notes. Same bold fruit on the palate and a slightly edgy finish. Paired with rib-eye steaks, Alaska king crab, grilled asparagus, & twice baked potatoes.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/13/2013 - kleinahoe Likes this wine: 93 Points
Home run of a wine. Almost too good after following on the heels of Williams Selyem Rochioli Riverblock and Kosta Browne Amber Ridge.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/3/2013 - Reblin Likes this wine: 91 Points
Drinking very well. Bright fruit, a bit hot.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/26/2013 - kgh wrote: 93 Points
This is a pinot heavyweight, dark and rich, with as much dark fruit as red fruit flavors. Very full without being jammy, this has a nice balance and structure. Should continue to improve in the cellar.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/20/2013 - jrglm wrote: 90 Points
Pretty tasty juice. It oughta be, for the price.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/15/2013 - shaferguy91 wrote: 91 Points
Decanted 1.5 hours. Certainly no QPR but it is still a good pinot.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/29/2013 - TheFoodieTraveler wrote: flawed
corked :(
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/29/2013 - onewineheaven wrote: 85 Points
This wine was a struggle. First, it seems a bit reduced so it may show better in a couple of years--after five hours it really is not offering much. Second, it seems a bit hot. Third, and perhaps a corollary to the heat, there seems to be some VA underneath all the obvious stuffing of black fruits and loam. The mass of the wine just seems to be covering a subtle, underlying acetic quality. The aromas of the wine evoke memories of polishing patent leather dress shoes, for better or worse.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/15/2013 - jeffal66 wrote: 90 Points
Hedonistic Pinot, rich and Cab-like. Round and dusty. Tannic with big blue fruit and tart cherry. Indulgent, but full flavored can be fun too. Long finish. Hearty nose. Worth the $? No.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/15/2013 - bcmatthias Likes this wine: 92 Points
Smoky cherry, lovely finish. Enjoyed with copper river salmon -- perfect match.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/17/2013 - GalvezGuy wrote: 90 Points
Nose of black cherry, bing cherry, red raspberry, clove. On the palate rich with black cherry and spice flavors. Finishes with nice balance and acidity. Enjoyable but nothing special
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/9/2013 - air guitar & pinot noir Likes this wine: 91 Points
A bit disappointed with this compared to some past vintages. Full bodied with still a clear tannic presence. The fruit seemed to have become more muted and in the background. Raspberry, cherry and berry flavors are there but seem to be restrained. Some nice spice flavors add to the complexity and there is a persistent finish. Nice silky mouthfeel.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/24/2013 - Tom Warden wrote: 92 Points
This is getting better with age, as one would expect. Very rich...dark cherry, berries, a bit of smoke. Perfect for watching the Oscars and having grilled salmon.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/23/2013 - Winopig Does not like this wine:
Ketone picked up on the nose.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/18/2013 - UpfromtheCellar wrote: 88 Points
Tough to say whether this is an 85 or a 90. It seemed heavy, asleep, a bit clumsy and thick. If it stays this way definitely an 85 but if it drops some of the tannins and "spreads out" with a little more lift and focus then it deserves a much higher rating. I have a lot more so I will open another bottle in another couple of years and check on its evolution.....
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/18/2013 - mazik Does not like this wine: 70 Points
Popped and poured with this year's cassoulet. Unimpressive. Not just unimpressive at the $90 price point. Unimpressive compared with a $13 glass of pinot noir at an East Village bistro the previous evening. It doesn't taste like pinot noir at all. Hoping it's a matter of air but it's not tannic. Next day it's still nowheresville, no charm, not even the charm of a musclebound athlete. Nose has orange peel and cherry pie spice, a tiny bit of volatile acidity, palate has nothing but slightly oxidized heavy red, no finish worth speaking of. For a wine that isn't flawed, this is a massive disappointment.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/13/2013 - la_bacchus Likes this wine: 91 Points
Still really closed and tight, but with potential to develop into a beauty. We decanted for an hour before drinking, and the wine developed greatly. I advise cellaring from another three years, and I expect the score to increase.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/29/2012 - Rob MacKay wrote: flawed
Corked. Second corked bottle I've had from sea smoke. Previous was an 06 Southing.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/2/2012 - Fishboy Likes this wine: 90 Points
Another great bottle
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comments (1)
12/1/2012 - tp096255 Likes this wine: 90 Points
---
COLOR: Translucent ruby-garnet
NOTE: Decent version of Ten, but far from my favorite. Was this the vintage when Kris Curran boogied out of the operation? Anyway, it has a decent enough (if somewhat sour) nose filled with fresh red cherry, pomagranate juice, hints of nutmeg. Not as complex as other years. The mouth is medium-weight, heavily pomagranate juice and a hint of roast beef, then the finish becomes quite hot and the roast beef takes over the fruit. There's some ash in there, a little leather. Probably my least favorite Sea Smoke Ten to date, but still quite drinkable.
DECANT: 1-6 hours
GLASS USED: PN
TASTE: 9.0
OTHER:
COST: 84
VALUE: 1.0
PREVIOUSLY TASTED: n/a
TRY AGAIN: now - 2015
PAIRING: open-faced roast beef and cheddar on an everything bagel
Inquiries can be addressed to troypeterson@usa.net
---
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/26/2012 - Venturifan Likes this wine: 90 Points
Paired with Thanksgiving dinner. Good but just not nearly great enough to not be disappointing. Possibly just a bad year for Sea Smoke however this must have hurt the brand. A little heat after a 3 hour decant with cherry and a hint of medium tannic structure that will allow this to age (just not sure that there is any reason to).
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/22/2012 - Keytohwy wrote: 88 Points
Sour cherries showing at first, but after a couple of hours, the fruit sweetened and softened. More acidic than I predicted, so perhaps this wine has a long life ahead, but I was underwhelmed. Opened at Thanksgiving and served with traditional thanksgiving items (turkey, stuff, etc.). Perhaps with a longer time open before consumed it would have been better.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/22/2012 - jrglm wrote: 90 Points
Thanksgiving wine. Very nice
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/9/2012 - Trickyone wrote:
Another too-high alcohol content bottle (14.5%), but that's what we get here. It must be a real quandry as a winegrower when faced with the decision when to pick. In California, you can get fruit so ripe that it sends alcohol levels to sky-high levels on even table wines. That allows showy wines that many people love, but some, like me, would prefer it if the didn't let the fruit hang quite so long. If they did that, wines would be down in the 12.5 - 13% range that allow wines to complement rather than overwhelm whatever is being served with them. It would be nice to know if the Sea Smoke people have ever tried an experiment with fruit picked at a lower Brix. They might be better food wines, as they would have a slightly higher--and therefore more refreshing--acidic quality. Of course, that's all a matter of taste.
When I first opened this one (a friend had helped me with some work and I popped and poured this one since he'd never had a Sea Smoke wine), it could have been mistaken for a Cabernet-based wine. It was so dark and the nose so aggressive that there wasn't any of the characteristic earthiness of Pinot Noir. My friend's first question was "Is that French oak?", adding that all he got out of the nose at first was the oak. After it had been open about an hour, it started to come around, so perhaps it was my mistake in drinking this on an impulse. Of course by then, we were more than a little snockered by what we'd already had from the bottle. Next time, I'll try to anticipate my desires on the Sea Smokes I've still got but am not replacing.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/13/2012 - Jmartin wrote:
A good Pinot, but somewhat disappointing considering the price and the past SS wines that we've had.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/8/2012 - VoteferPedro wrote:
lush aroma and fruit on first pour but then it closed down and became hard in the glass. I think this wine is huge and not ready. I had only this bottle and will see how it does corked and put back to cellar temp but I think it was too soon. Nonetheless this is Pinot on steroids.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/7/2012 - rhit wrote:
Medicinal with (still) too much heat.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/23/2012 - armchairsommelier wrote: 90 Points
A soft, subtle wine . . . restrained but not weak. A bit of funk and heat on the nose, flavors of tart cherry and cola. Soft tannins. Lovely. Salud!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/30/2012 - Jack wrote: 91 Points
Pretty much the same as last note.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/22/2012 - Uglypinga wrote:
Hopefully just way before its time. Closed on the nose. The palate had some savory elements surrounded by some very dark fruit but no juiciness and lots of oak. I had two glasses over the span of three hours and nothing changed.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/26/2012 - cbkamp Likes this wine: 93 Points
Really unique nose of sweet bing cherry, cranberry, red licorice, vanilla, and a hint of cola and earth. Nice balance with bright acidity, soft mouthfeel, and a ton of red fruit. Lacking on the earthiness, but makes up for it with awesome fruit. I usually think these wines are overhyped, but this one really blew me away.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/22/2012 - cadamson wrote: 89 Points
Good fruit, but too big for its own good, as the fruit overwhelms other characteristics, and the alcohol rears its head if the wine warms up a bit. Still, a good drink, but certainly there are betters to be had at the tariff.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/8/2012 - TheBigD52 wrote:
rich red in color. decanted for 4 hours--nicely balanced. soft nose. very nice drinking wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/4/2012 - Fishboy wrote: 91 Points
Consistent notes
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/12/2012 - mmcdds wrote: 91 Points
This is a full bodied pinot that needed 3 to 4 hours in the decanter for the rich red and dark fruit to open with anise, some leathery notes and deep earthy and brambly undertones. There's fine, dusty tannins and white pepper on the finish. Today this one has a very burgundian feel to it. Quite nice.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/28/2012 - sbfireman wrote: 89 Points
Using the scale, rather unemotional. Good juice but should have poured into a big open glass decanter. Buried fruit (not berried). All good - surf's up.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/25/2011 - rhit wrote:
A seemingly more extracted style than the Southing. Too much swirling gets you a bit of heat, unfortunately. Meh. I enjoyed the Southing much more, and think this is way too pricey.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/13/2011 - mazik wrote: 92 Points
Brought it to Keen's Steak House, served with prime rib and their famous mutton chop. Drinking well now but clearly not yet at its peak, the tannins are still getting in the way of the fruit on the palate.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/9/2011 - vinami wrote: 90 Points
I was expecting more, maybe this needed to age further and/or be decanted to open up. Tasted a bit acidic, I think I have enjoyed the Southings more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/3/2011 - Reblin wrote: 92 Points
Drinking beautifully. Soft nose, balanced fruit.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/30/2011 - dionysis wrote: 94 Points
Fantastic -- best bottle of Ten I have had. Don't understand all of the poor reviews but this was singing tonight when I had it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/20/2011 - Pinot Evil wrote: 89 Points
Soomewhat underwhelmed, closed with muted fruit
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/12/2011 - David L wrote:
Very good
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/11/2011 - Rob MacKay wrote: 91 Points
Splash decanted and enjoyed rather quickly. This is a pretty typical Sea Smoke (pre-08). I note 'pre-08' because I sense a slight change in style starting with the 08 vintage compared especially to the 06 and 07 vintages. For 07 this was tasty with great fruit and depth but a touch hot on the back end. Still a very enjoyable wine and should continue to improve.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/1/2011 - khmark7 wrote: 83 Points
Are we all drinking the same wine? Big and tart tart tart. Closed? Perhaps, but is Ten the number of years you wait before drinking it? Bleh!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/25/2011 - stocksandbondage wrote: 92 Points
I agree that it needs a few more years, but everything is right there. Ripe and creamy black cherry flavors. Complex nose with hints of cola and sassafras. Velvety tannins and enough acidity to keep it all in balance.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/18/2011 - Tom Warden wrote: 91 Points
Very nice...well balanced and elegant...probably needs a few more years...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/4/2011 - Reblin wrote: 91 Points
red fruit, nice body. Lovely nose.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/20/2011 - bullmrkt wrote: 91 Points
Spicy hot and oak nose, smooth but very complex palate of spice and cherries, medium finish that is a bit hot as other have mentioned. My first 'smoke. I'm impressed but I'd say its a wee bit expensive for what you get.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/10/2011 - dontime wrote: 91 Points
Rated for potential. Decanted an hour - needed more. Lots of bright red fruit on the nose and initial attack, but finishes hot and out of balance. Hoping for more in 2-3 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/28/2011 - GalvezGuy wrote: 92 Points
Decanted two hours. Nose of black cherry, black raspberry, cranberry, rhubard, cola, close. On the palate, black cherry, raspberry, rhubard, spice, vanilla. Finishes a little bit hot with a lot of zing. Better than the last bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/8/2011 - jdabrowski1027 wrote: 91 Points
Richmond - Enotecca Sogno: Too young to strut its stuff. Red fruits is all i got out of this nose that was tight. Ripe dark fruits on the palate, maybe some white pepper. Not overly "ripe" or syrah like, but it did have a touch of heat at the end. Give it some time
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/15/2011 - bruinesq84 wrote: 93 Points
popped the cork and left open for five hrs. recorked and then decanted and drank over next 3 hrs. This takes along time to fully open and no doubt could use another 3-5 yrs to fully develop. The sea smokes always flirt with too much alcohol for my tastes, but when given enough time to open, they usually come around. This one was no exception. Beautiful cherry and strawberry flavors with some smoke in the background. racy palate and long finish. Ample full mouthfeel. VN and would definitely rebuy.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/8/2011 - xboomer wrote: 92 Points
I am looking forward to my Sea Smoke 10 to go with a large NY steak. Happy Mother's Day.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/1/2011 - joefel Likes this wine: 90 Points
Decanted 1.5 hrs before drinking with grilled teriyaki-marinated top sirloin. Beautiful color and nose. Medium body that tastes of raspberries and cranberries. Good acidity and balance that improved over the next couple of hours. Medium-to-long finish. The only thing that knocked my score down a point or two, is that it is a little hot on the finish. Alcohol seems higher than listed.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/22/2011 - kleinahoe wrote: 91 Points
Good mouth feel and balance. Fruit muted.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/3/2011 - Capybara562 wrote: 91 Points
Drinking very well.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/28/2011 - Gargamel wrote: 91 Points
drank one before my allocation closes. very similar to the last bottle i tried, but this bottle had more earthy notes and some black tea with the tart cherry. the nose is better than the palate, but my real problem with the wine is the extreme acidity. three others at dinner all agreed that it is much to acidic. overall a good wine, but i will not pay $80 for anything i would rate at 91 pts. good bye sea smoke, i'm sure my allocation will find a good home elsewhere...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/11/2011 - mmurmac wrote: 95 Points
Super complex adventure. Started with massively forward raspberry, over an hour turned into a crisp cranberry with a singing note of graphite.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/10/2011 - brianngibson wrote: 90 Points
Cranberry is the overriding fruit characteristic of this wine right now. Acids seem a bit high. I don't ever recall such a strong cranberry profile on this wine before. To a lesser extent, cherry, raspberry and sweet strawberries.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/25/2010 - GalvezGuy wrote: 91 Points
Nose of black cherry, black raspberry, cranberry, cola, spice. On the palate, black cherry, strawberry, rhubarb, spice, vanilla. Finishes with nice acidity. A little hollow midpalate, but time should fill it in. Drink with a long decant or hold.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/28/2010 - eSchrag wrote: 92 Points
Great structured Pinot with tasty cherry fruit and a nice long finish....... Enjoy!!!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/26/2010 - Bakek wrote: 93 Points
Delightful, rich pinot noir with spice (maybe cloves?) on the notse that still had a light fresh finish
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/23/2010 - Jack wrote: 93 Points
High toned and seems a little light because of the freshness that the acid provides. Big time cranberries and some spice. Long finish. And, it seems like there is more to come.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/23/2010 - sammy Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nice light nose with an aged wine scent. Great blend of flavors including cherry, but lacks depth of fruit. Very light oak with a nip of tannins; somewhat dry. A great pinot, but I was expecting more for the reputation (and price) of this wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/20/2010 - Amerique wrote: 91 Points
Clean, slightly sweet, fresh strawberry fruit, very good structure, well balanced but lacks complexity and depth of flavors as I find typical of Santa Barbara Pinot Noirs
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/17/2010 - mmurry Likes this wine: 89 Points
Decanted about 1 1/2 hours. The nose had cherry and forest floor, spice and raspberry, anise and some creamy oak. The palate was smooth, with, black cherry and earth, cinnamon and nutmeg, raspberry and a little vanilla.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/17/2010 - xboomer wrote: 92 Points
Frank and Shelley house
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/12/2010 - Gargamel wrote: 92 Points
decant at 2:45. no sediment but could see some cloudiness. nose has spicey red fruit, briary raspberry/currant, a touch of blueberry, and minerality. much better than expected. 94-95pts for nose. palate has one dimensional very tart cherry. 85pts or lower, one of the most closed down wines i have ever come across.
6:45 nose is still great, palate has opened just a touch. shows like a very burgundian styled pinot. the finish is acidic but is starting to broaden out a bit. not drinkable yet.
9:15 nose is still the best part of this wine. palate seemes to be slowly building depth showing some tart blackberry with some greeness. finish is fairly long (25-30 sec) due to high acidity, showing the darker blackberry vs. cherry shown earlier. soft, well hiden tannins have built up and add to tartness to the wine. cork shows a light dusting of tartrate crystals which seems inappropriate for a young california pinot. maybe some tartaric was added to the juice?
10:20 the wine is still changing, showing darker and more complex notes. a bit high in acid for my taste by does show an ever increasing complexity. has potential with age. currently nose- 95pts, palate- 91pts, finish-90 pts
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
4/3/2010 - tanglenet wrote:
The Botella that I had last night did not show well so I thought I'd give this a try. An a incredibly young wine. The cork looks like it was put in yesterday and has that dryness and lack of seepage that shows youthfulness. On the palate: tight, bright, red tart fruit; shows oak with a tannic bite; a crisp and spicy finish. An hour later and its still dense like a newly cut log. Hard to judge at this point, but I'll give it a Good. Needs 2-3 hours of decanting or better yet wait 2 more years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/27/2010 - Fishboy wrote: 91 Points
Deep ruby color with cola and cherry notes. Great nose but alittle hot on the palate. Will be interesting to see how this wine develops over the next couple of years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/7/2010 - bigdogflow wrote: 91 Points
Dark color. Lots of cola and dark cherry on the taste. Medium finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/28/2010 - jahlove Likes this wine: 91 Points
At this point, I'd rather smell this wine than drink it. Beautiful nose, perfume for days, very complex. On the palate its huge and complex showing cola, sassafrass, blueberry, huckleberry. But its too hot and all over the place at the moment. The 90 plus score comes from the nose alone.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comments (1)
2/28/2010 - tooch wrote: 89 Points
Pinot Noir Blind Tasting @ Planet Wine (Planet Wine - Alexandria, VA): Big nose of cocoa, cinnamon, nutmeg and sweet rhubarb. Massive wine, with the alcohol coming through quite noticeably. There was also a somewhat bizarre celery salt component to the wine. At this point I felt it was somewhat disjointed...and clearly young. If you have more bottles of this, I'd recommend forgetting about it in your cellar for at least 5 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/26/2010 - manonthemoon wrote: 88 Points
Dark red to purple color. Really nice nose of red berry, dill, herb, spice. On the palate there more red fruit, raspberry, cherry, spice and ALCOHOL. Correctly guessed Cali because of the heat. Really disappointing with the sticker on this wine, I guess WS had it right for a change. (88)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comments (3)
2/25/2010 - rjhilgers@gmail.com wrote: 90 Points
This is the lowest score I've given a Sea Smoke Pinot. Not too low at a 90, but there's something missing for me about Sea Smoke the last few vintages. I don't know if it's the new(er) winemaker or what, but Sea Smoke used to blow me away...incredible tasting experiences with particularly the Botellas and Tens (not as big a fan of the Southings). So, relatively speaking the 2007 Ten is not my favorite relative to other Sea Smokes. But, against other Pinot Noir, this is still very nice. A bit young and rambunctious still, but a nice blend of dark cherries, lavender and blood orange with a hint of smoke. Incredible acidity on this wine, especially for a California Pinot Noir.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (10)
2/1/2010 - KMKCMT wrote: 93 Points
Excellent bottle enjoyed in Big Sir CA...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/24/2010 - soyhead wrote: 90 Points
No formal notes, but i was impressed with this wine. It was much more restrained that I had expected - daresay burgundian in style.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/20/2009 - win wrote: 87 Points
High acidity, fruit a bit out of balance. Calmed down after a couple of hours. Wait on this one. Right now the 2007 Southing is superior.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/9/2009 - petrusncoke wrote:
Wine Warehouse "Locals Only" Tasting (Santa Barbara Club): Tasted at wine warehouse's "locals only" tasting in SB. Muted, yet complex nose of earth, black cherries, asian spices, and subtle vanilla. On the palate shows noble stucture, and good fruit hiding behind the firm, though by no means brutal tannins. The wine was obviously in bottle shock, but the construction and underlying fruit on this wine perhaps suggest great things to come. Not Rated.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment